I would also suggest upgradable magic items, sentient or otherwise, that develop as the party does, or that a mage or armor can quickly and cheaply buff up. Alternately, I would steal, lose, or destroy magic items and replace them with other ones so the party never gets into a rut tactically or thematically. One can also give powerful items and quietly buff the competition, though too much of that risks an escalation spiral.
I feel like having rules for it ruins the experience, but that's a personal taste issue. It's more fun to just discover an atypical weapon than it is to present the party member with just another thing that they can customize and min/max.
oh I wouldn’t just give it to them and be like, “yup, here’s your (whatever) and here’s the sheet as you level up” — I am old school. They would NEVER know when it’s going to increase in power, and what’s coming up. I would keep a running tally on the item, in my DM notebook, and as they will discover it in game play time. It’s fun and rewarding that way. I only referenced the book for ideas.
I would also suggest upgradable magic items, sentient or otherwise, that develop as the party does, or that a mage or armor can quickly and cheaply buff up. Alternately, I would steal, lose, or destroy magic items and replace them with other ones so the party never gets into a rut tactically or thematically. One can also give powerful items and quietly buff the competition, though too much of that risks an escalation spiral.
its a great idea and I believe that 3.x D&D had a great book for helping with this idea… I think it was called Legacy weapons?
I feel like having rules for it ruins the experience, but that's a personal taste issue. It's more fun to just discover an atypical weapon than it is to present the party member with just another thing that they can customize and min/max.
oh I wouldn’t just give it to them and be like, “yup, here’s your (whatever) and here’s the sheet as you level up” — I am old school. They would NEVER know when it’s going to increase in power, and what’s coming up. I would keep a running tally on the item, in my DM notebook, and as they will discover it in game play time. It’s fun and rewarding that way. I only referenced the book for ideas.
Nice post! I just picked up BF and will give it a few paces. A bit of a break from our original B/X Campaign.